Students and members of the Geneva community are invited to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year 5771. The Jewish holiday marks the beginning of the 10-day observance of the High Holy Days according to the Hebrew calendar. 

The Abbe Center for Jewish Life and HWS Hillel will host a festive meal at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at the Abbe Center located at 764 South Main Street. The holiday observance will continue at 8 p.m. with services at Temple Beth-El, located directly across the street from the Abbe Center.

Morning services will commence at 9:30 a.m. at Temple Beth-El on Thursday, Sept. 9. Tashlich, a symbolic casting away of sin into a body of water, will be observed at Geneva Lakefront Park at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. 

On Friday, Sept. 10 there will be a Shabbat dinner at the Abbe Center beginning at 6 p.m.  Temple Beth-El will hold a Rosh Hashanah service at 7 p.m., followed immediately by Shabbat Shuvah services at 8 p.m. 

The Jewish High Holidays conclude with the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This somber day of fasting and reflection will begin with a 6 p.m. pre-fast dinner on Friday, Sept. 17 at the Abbe Center. 

Kol Nidre services will begin at 7 p.m. that evening followed by a full day of Yom Kippur services and programs at Temple Beth-El on Saturday, Sept. 18.  A Break Fast will take place at 7 p.m. that evening at the synagogue, immediately following the conclusion of services.

HWS students can obtain free tickets for holiday services at Temple Beth-El by contacting Lorinda Weinstock, lweinstock@hws.edu, ext. 3385. To reserve a space for holiday or Shabbat dinners at the Abbe Center, students should email Shabbat@hws.edu.

Community members can contact Temple Beth-El’s new Rabbi, Rabbi David Reiner at the Temple, 315-789-2945, for more information and to obtain tickets for services.